The darkest time in Oslo is December and January, and therefore not the time of year where I´m particularly active. Late January it finally came some snow and I grabbed my camera and walked a lap around lake Songsvann.

I have long had the desire to make the trip to Øvre Årdal to experience autumn. The fresh air and the beautiful colors make autumn my favorite season. The area Øvre Årdal in Norway offers some fantastic hiking opportunities, and in this post I will take you to Vettisfossen, Stølsmaradalen and Bøttejuv.

I took the trip with my friend Joakim. Friday morning we left early from Oslo, so we could spend the day in Utladalen and head to Vettisfossen waterfall. The first time I was in Utladalen was in 2013 and I went back in March this year. Vettisfossen is located far in the valley and you have to walk a steep slope to get to the top and see the waterfall from above. Try to imagine the rumbling sound of water and the feeling of freedom. The waterfall is really beautiful and I am already looking forward to get back there.

DAY 2: STØLSMARADALEN

Next day we had a challenging trip ahead of us. The goal was to go Avdalsskåri to Avdalen mountain farm and from there to Stølsmaradalen. I've heard that Stølsmaradalen is a gem, and now having been there myself, I can confirm it. It was like going into a Disney movie. From Stølsmaradalen you got nice views to Stølsnostind, Falketind and the other peaks towering on the eastern side of the valley.

DAY 3: BØTTEJUV

The third day we were tired. The long trip the day before had tapped us for strength and our legs were sore and our shoes were wet. Joakim also had had an accident and struggled with his knee. Anyway we found inner strength and motivation to get us off to Bøttejuv.

The hike starts in Seimsdalen about 600 m.a.s.l. and from there uphill to around 1.322 m.a.s.l. When we got up on the mountain an incredible view waited and we could see Hurrungane with the majestic 2k peaks. Eventually we came to Bøttejuv and we both agreed that day three was really worth it.

Hiking to 'Trolltunga' (translated Troll's Tongue) in Norway has been on my list for a while. It's one of the *must to do* things in life. Based on popularity, I believe Trolltunga also has placed Norway on the world map.

After over 50.000 steps we got back to the car with painful feet but still a great feeling of satisfaction. What a day! We where so lucky with the weather and I definitely had too much in my backpack.

I had the pleasure of hiking with Joakim. We chose to drive the route through Haukeliseter mountain pass from Oslo. Of course we had to stop a few times to take pictures.

Plenty can be read about Trolltunga of the Internet. To sum it up: Starting point is Skjeggedal in Odda municipality at 400 m. and from there the trail goes up to around 1200 m. within the first 4 kilometres. The hike is 11 kilometers one way and will take you between 8-10 hours in total, depending on weather conditions and physical shape.

Trolltunga is located on the mountainside 700 m. above Ringedalsvatnet. The lake is the main reservoir for a hydroelectric power station in Tyssedal which provides electricity for the power intensive industries in the nearby town of Odda.

Warning: If you choose to go the last 15 steps out the tip please be very careful. Some days it can be crowded here and then it's a long queue of people who want to go out on the tip. Show respect and be patient so people get the time they need.

Driving 120 kilometer southeast from Nice, you find yourself in the heart of regional natural park of Verdon. Here are well known sites like Les Gorges Du Verdon, Lac De Sainte Croix, and Plateau De Valensole (lavender fields). To not forget beautiful medieval villages such as Tourtour and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. In the region is also a smaller and certainly less known village; Moissac-Bellevue.

Between vineyards and olive trees Moissac-Bellevue is overlooking the valley of Aups. We found the village to be a perfect base for our days in the countryside of Provence. Quiet and peaceful, away from mass tourism, fresh air, yet close proximity to explore Verdon. At hotel Bastide du Calalou we found tranquility, and everyone we met was helpful and genuinely interested in making sure we were having a good time.

All photos are taken with Hasselblad 501cm + Carl Zeiss Planar T* 2.8/80 on Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Tri-X 400. Films are developed & scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

My twitter friend Ivo Scholz from Switzerland took a weekend trip to Oslo and I had the honor of meeting him. Although it rained and the weather was cool, we had a nice walk in the forests of Oslo. I inserted a film in my Leica M2, shot the roll and where kind of pleased working with a model who also are a talented photographer. I must admit that it is easier to take pictures of someone who knows how the camera works, compared to someone who does not.

I appreciate our conversations Ivo. You are a man with a lot of knowledge, a warm heart and good humor. Hope we meet again on one occasion - perhaps in Switzerland. Who knows.

Of course my friends Navdip and Ole Petter was very excited about their day. The big day where they as an amorous couple also also would become wife and husband. I was excited too. My first wedding where I was invited solely to take photographs. Such an honorable mission, a task of great responsibility, that would require my full attention.

One chance to capture the moment.

Navdip was up early and I met her at the beauty saloon. She was superbly styled by some talented ladies while I photographed. We laughed and our conversations went really easy. The ladies definitely knew what they were doing - Navdip was beautiful. The ceremony, dinner and party was at Ekebergresturanten in Oslo, a restaurant situated on a hill overlooking the city. I've been there before and knew that the large windows would provide plenty of daylight and woods behind the building would be suited for the official photographs.

I'm really grateful that I was invited to Navdip and Ole Petter´s wedding to be their photographer. I had fun and the day was memorable in many ways; Two lovely people, fusion of two cultures, speeches that touched me to tears. And not at least a Bollywood party that took off.

There are many cafes in Oslo, very many. Perhaps not without reason; Norwegians drink quantities and quality of the coffee is high. I read that New York Times and USA Today actually has listed Oslo to be one of the best coffee cities in the world. I am aware that the most avid coffee loving drink it without milk, but my personal favorite is double cortado.

A couple of weeks ago I met up with my friend Morten Frool, a talented photographer I´m connected to trough Instagram and Twitter. We sat down and had a coffee together, chatted about our favorite topic (photography...), and afterwards we went for a little walk to check out the area nearby.

I had with me a couple of rolls expired Kodak Portra 400NC I bought from Gina (@seriesofclicks). Incredibly happy that the film seems good and the colors are as I hoped they would be. Thanks Gina.

Øvre (Eng. Upper) Årdal is a village in the municipality of Årdal in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. I have fallen in love with this area due to it´s beautiful surroundings of fjords and mountains. Here are Utladalen, Norway deepest valley, which I have visited several times in the past year.

We planned this weekend for a while since it came celebrity visitors to the valley from San Francisco and Vancouver. I agreed to drive from Oslo with Joakim and he picked me up early Friday morning. We had a road trip of 4.5 hours in front of us. Through Instagram, I have known Joakim quite a while, but this was the first time we met. The chat was very easy since we had many common interests and a lot to talk about.

Photos in 3:2 aspect ratio are taken with Leica M2 + Nokton 50mm f/1.5 ASPH VM and 1:1 (square) photos are taken with Hasselblad 501cm + Carl Zeiss Planar T* 2.8/80. All films are Kodak Portra 400 and they are developed & scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

Day 1

We arrived in Øvre Årdal at 11:00 AM and met Eskil. Our foreign friends did not come until the following day, so therefore we wanted to take a leisurely walk to Vettisfossen (a waterfall). From the parking lot there is a 4-kilometer lane leading you through the valley up to Vetti farm (320 m.a.s.l.). It was a beautiful day of sunshine and blue skies.

Day 2

Next morning our celebrity guests arrived. Austin Rhee, Dan Tom and Dan Lum. All Instagram stars I have been fan of for a long time. Handshakes and big hugs were shared. What a moment!

Our goal this day was to reach a mountain farm called Avdalen. The farm is located at 380 m.a.s.l. and was first in use year 1598. There are two routes to the farm; the marked path, but it is also a hidden path to the top meant for those searching for a challenge. I say hidden because you need to know where it is to find it. The hidden path is called Avdalsskori among the locals and was the only way up to the farm until year 1864.

Avdalsskori is 1-2 meters wide and 300 meters go up to the top.

Austin, Dan T, Dan L, and Joakim

Eskil

Hiking gets a new meaning when you do it with friends. The path Avdalsskori is 1-2 meters wide and goes 300 meters to the top reaching Avdalen mountain farm (year 1598). Taken with iPhone 6 and edited in iMovie.

We went down from the mountain, jumped into cars and drove to a small village called Seim. Seim is beautifully situated by the fjords about 3 kilometres west of the municipal center of Årdalstangen. There we had a nice photo session at sunset.

From left: Dan T, Dan L and Austin

I think about how grateful I am to have the opportunity to meet avid photographers from around the world. Social media has in many ways changed my life. It's almost unreal to having met these wonderful people and experienced the Norwegian nature together.

Dan L, Austin, Dan T, Eskil, Kym and Joakim: Tusen takk, for a wonderful weekend I will never forget!

A few months ago I bought a classic Leica M2 from my friend Johnny Patience. Again I made a camera purchase through acquaintance on Twitter. A purchase from Johnny felt very safe since we met for real in Oslo a while ago - he is a great guy. To be honest it is for me an honor to use a camera I know has been in the hands of Johnny!

I remember I opened the package with great enthusiasm and I shot my first roll as soon the weekend came. The roll I got developed and although it certainly was not anything wrong with the camera, I realized that I had a learning curve to climb. Now I have shot some more rolls and want to share the pictures below. I have also taken a couple of rolls Kodak Tri-X 400, but snowy landscapes seems to be more challenging on the B&W. It is also possible I'm doing something wrong, of course. Anyway, until further I keep them secret from the public.

Location is in the area of our family cabin in Tuddal, Telemark municipality in Norway. It´s three different days in January and February 2015.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Due to it´s latitude and color reproduction Kodak Portra 400 is my favorite color negative film. I love it so much that I have to force myself to shoot anything else. Since we finally starts getting brighter days here in Norway I decided to give Kodak Portra 160 a go again. Last time I used it was in Iceland and I was happy about the result. The colors of Kodak Portra 160 is slightly dimmed and less saturated compared to Kodak Portra 400 and I was excited to see how it would handle snow.

All photos are taken with Hasselblad 501cm + Carl Zeiss Planar T* 2.8/80 on Kodak Portra 160. Films are developed & scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

Normally I wake a bit earlier than my two girls, so I started the day with a little stroll. Location is (again...) in the area of our family cabin in Telemark, Norway.

I went back to the cabin, put on Ben Howard´s latest and sipped coffee while waiting for my girls. A quiet and peaceful time for myself is not to be despised.

After breakfast, I looked out the window and was eager to get out again. We were ready for skiing.